Valve for flush-tanks



T. J. GANNON.

VALVE FOR FLUSH TANKS.

APPLICATION FILED AUGAI. 1915.

Patented May 20, 1919.

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T. J. GANNON. VALVE FoR FLUSH TANKS.

APPLICATION FILED AUGJH; 1915.

I/WENTU'R @aww fed M 3 SHETS-SHEET 2.

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WIT/VESSES:

-me Nofems P T. J. GANNON. VALVE FORT-LUSH TANKS.

APPucATloN man Auchan. 191s.

Patented May 20, 1919.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

4 Afro/mfr s s co., PHomLnua.. wAsmNc mN. n. c.

I THOMAS J. GANNON, or BnooKLYn, NEW YORK. l

Yvnnvn ron FLUSH-TANKS.

p Speccation of Letters Patent. Patented May 20, 1919-.

Application filed .A ngnst 31, 1915. Serial No. 48,156.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, vTHOMAS J. GANNON, a citizen of the United States, and a'resident of New York, in the borough of Brooklyn, coimty of Kings, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Valves for Flush-Tanks, of which the following is a specication. n

This invention relates to improvements in valves for iiush tanks, and has for an object to provide an improved valve of this character, which will automatically remain open after having been operated, for a sufficient period to empty the tank, without requiring continued pressure onvthe operating means. Another object is to provide such a` device which will be extremely simple in construction and inexpensive to manufacture, and which will Ibe noiseless in operation.

With these and other objects in view, my invention is shown in the accompanying drawing, and will be hereinafter more fully described with reference thereto and iinally pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of my improved valve in closed position;

Fig. 2 is asimilar view thereof in open position;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of a modifiedform of construction in closed position;

Fig. 4 is a similar view thereof in open position;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section of a further modified form in closed position;

Fig. 6 lis a similarview ofthe same in open position; 7

Fig. 7 'is a vertical sectional view of a still further modilied form of my invention in closed position;

Fig. 8 "s a similar view of the same in closed position; and

Fig. 9 is a horizontal section on the line 9-9ofFig.7. f j f Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several iigures of the drawings.

ReferringV to the drawings, my invention g comprises "a tank 10 of wood, porcelain, or the like, having an inner watertight tank l1 of metal spaced therefromy at the front, and provided at the under-side with an opening 12, in which is secured a bushing 13 havingl a laterally extending flange portion 14 at theupper edgeA thereof, p-rovided withalip por,-

* ,tion 1.5 and held Within the said .opening by means of a ring 16 threaded thereon. A spider y17 is arranged within the said bushing at the upper end thereof, and is provided centrally with a threaded opening, into which is screwed the lower end 18 of a supporting member 19, to the top of which is secured a tubular guide rod 20. The supporting member`19 is inthe shape of an inverted truncated cone and is provided with enlarged openings 21 vand 22 for permitting water `to 'enter the guide rod 20. A tubular slidable vertically thereon, and extending slightly above the water level in the tank. A weighted closure member 24, preferably member 23 is mounted on the guide rod 20,

constructed of non-corrodible metal, is provided at the lower end, and a flanged portion` 25 thereof-rests on thelip 15 of the bushing y13 in closed position of the valve. Thefsaid the said lever is connected by meansy of a rod 31 to an inwardly-extending arm 432 of a plunger 33 operating in a casing 34 at the front, of the tank, an opening 35 being provided in the'tank to permit movement of the arm 32. The inner tank 1l isV also provided with a cut-out portion '36 to permit operation o-f the lever 29.` It will'be seen that when pressure'is applied to the plunger 33,

the inner end of the lever 29 is lifted and' the tubular member 23 lis raised from, its seat, allowing water to flow into the flush pipe. means, it will be understood, may be employed instead of the form shown.

Any approved form of operating- Afhollow bell-jar shaped member'r37 is supported intermediately of the outer arm of the lever 29 byv means of a rod 38. To permit the escape of air during operation of the valve, as will be hereinafter described, a tube 39 is provided, which extends upwardly in the said member `37 above the leveli of water inthetank, its lower end extending lalong, the bottom of the tank through the lip 15 of the bushing and downwardly into the Vflush pipe for a shortdistanceas at 40.

When the valve is raised as above pointed out, theV member 37is forced ldownwardly to the p'ositionshown in? Fig.` 2,` the pipe` 39 Pefmttlig .the escape 0i air during the i115# i tial movement. `As the water continues to drop downwardly in the tank, a partial vacuum 1s created n the member 37, and as the water flows past the end of the tube 39.

When the water in thetank reaches they lower endl of the member 37, air immediately enters beneath the lower `edge thereof breaking the vacuum and releasing the water therefrom, and the said member is raised to its upper position, at the same time slowly closing the valve. As the tank is again filled with water, the pipe 39 permits the escape of lair from the member 37. The water released from the-member 37 causes an afterfiushing effect, which 'also aids in the slow closing of the valve. 1f desired, a small valve or bleeder opening may be provided in the top of the member 37 to coperate with the tube 39 in releasing air therefrom.

In the modified form of construction shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the same principle is compacted into a single structure. A bushing 50, somewhat similar to the bushing 13 of the first form of my invention, is secured into an opening 51 of the tank v52 by means of a ring 53 threaded thereon. The upstanding lip 54 of the laterally extending flange 55 is provided with an inclined inner wall extending inwardly to the inner wall of the bushing. A cylindrical member 56 is secured at its lower end to the flange 55 and is provided at its lower portion with a plurality of enlarged openings or ports 57 1nclosing the member 56, and annularly spaced therefrom, there is provided a cylindrical member 5S extending at its lower end to the top of the openings 57. The top 59 of the member 58 extends across the top of the member 56 and is provided centrally with an opening 60 in which is slidably mounted the hollow valve steml or overflow rod 61. A weighted closure member 62 is provided on the lower end of the rod 61, the sides of which snugly engage the inner surface of the member 56. A circular inset of rubber or the like 63 is provided on the under-side of the member 62, which in closed position of the valve engages the lip 54'and establishes a water-tight connection.

A plurality of spaced openings 64 are provided in the member 56 adjacent the top 59, the material cut from the said member to form the openings being preferably bent outwardly as at 65 to engage the member 58 and hold the same in the proper position. A bail 66 is secured to the top of the central overflow rod 61, which is connected to any suitable means forl operating the valve. When the valve is raised from theposition shown .in Fig. 3 to that shown in Fig.. 4, `the closure member 62 is lifted from its sea-t, opening the ports 57 so that t-he water in the tank willliow into Athe flush pipe. At the initial movement of the valve, `a portion of the water within the cylinder 56 is displaced through the openings 64, passing through the space between the two cylinders, andv into the flush pipe. As the water drops in the tank, a sucking action or vacuum is created within the cylinder 5S, balancing a column of water in the members 56 and 58, which in addition to the lifting pressure of the water passing from the tank into the flush pipe upon the under surface of the closure member 62, holds the valve in open position, until the water reaches the lowerv cock controlling the supply of water to the tank, it will be understood may be regulated in accordance with this action.

In the further modified form shown in Figs. 5 and 6, a bushing 100 is secured into an opening 101 of the flush tank 102, by means of a ring 103 screwed thereon, and

van upstanding cylindrical member 104 is secured to the lateral flange 105 thereof, a lip 106 being provided on thesaid flange, as in thev foregoing forms of construction. A number of enlarged openings 107 are provided in the cylindrical member 104 adjacent the flange 10.5, suflicient material being left between the openings to substantially support the said member. A cap 108 is provided on the member 104, having a cent-ral opening 109 therein in which is guided a tubular overflow rod 1,10 on which is supported a weighted `closure member 111, provided with a circular inset of rubber or the like 112 which engages the lip portion 106 of the bushing in closed position of the valve to establish a water-tight oonnection. Openings 113 are provided in the rod 110 below the upper end thereof, which .is made air-tight by means of a plug 114 inserted therein. A bail 115 is arranged on the said plug for raising the valve in the usual manner. The lower en d of the rod is contracted as at 116 and extends downwardly into the flush pipe. The intermedieral grooves 119 are provided in the said closuremember, in `which a water packing is formed in open position of the valve,

The operation ofthis form of my improved valve is as follows: When the valve M `is raised from the position shown in F ig.' 5;

i member, overflows into the rod 110 and 'into the flush pipe. The valve is held in raised position by the lifting pressure, exerted on the inclinedsurfaces 117 and 1-18, and bythe sucking 'or siphonin effect in the rod 110 caused by thewater owing past the end 116` thereof." When the water drops 'below the under surface of the closure member 111, the valve begins to close 'slowly by reason of' the decreasing lifting pressure, and as this closing action continues, the water held in"y the cylinder 104 is allowed to escape` through the openings 107 and into the flush pipe.

During this yaction there is still thesiphonling action in the rod 110, which also tends to prevent the quick dropping of thel closure member. When the water is exhausted from the tank, the closure member'seats on the lip 106 noiselessly. j

lIn Figs. 7 to 9, I have shown a still further and more simplified form of my invention. A bushing or spud 125 is secured within an opening 126 of the flush-tank 127 in the usuahmanner by means `of na ring 128 threaded thereon, the lateralflange129, off the said bushing being provided with an upstanding lip portion 130. A comparatively short casing 131 is secured to the lateral flange 129 and is provided adjacent the said flange with a plurality of enlarged openings 132, and on the top thereof there is provided an upstanding sleeve 133 in which is guided a vertical overflow rod 134. A slotted portion 135 is provided on the upper end of the said rod, which may be secured to any suitable operating means, for opening the valve, as hereinafter more fully described, the slotpermitting the said means to return to its normal position after being operated, while the valve remains open. At the lower end of the overflow rod, a closure member or plunger 136 is provided which is inclosed by the casing 131 and in closed position of the valve seats on the lip 130, a circular inset of rubber or the like 137 being provided therein for establishing a watertightconnection. The upper side of the casing 131 is provided with a plurality of openings or ports 138, and a flat closure ring 139 rests thereon. A number of smaller or bleeder openings 14.0 are arranged in the said ring in such manner that one or two of them will always be in register with the openings 138.

'Ihe operation of this form of my improved valve is as follows: When the plunger or closure member 136 is raised from thel closed position indicated in Fig. 7, to'

valve "or ring 139 closes bythe weightof" the water in the tankand of the atmosphere,

thereby causing a' vacuum which will 'balance" the downward pull of the plunger. The plunger will remain raised until the tank is entirely empty,I anduntil the vacuum above VAthesame is broken by air .entering throu'g'hthe vopenings 140. When the lifting pressure isremoved Af rom the bottom of the 'Y closure member 136 bythe 'emptying4 of thev tank, the same k.will slowly descend by its' lso own weight, seats, and will be held tight by I its ownweight 'and the weight of the Water' inthe tank. This slow closing action is entirely noiseless. p

If desired,l an annular seat can be provided onithe inner side of theupper head of the member'131, to which contact can bemade to a seat provided onthe yupper face of the plunger, at yor near the outer periphery, thereby `removing'th'e necessity of an exact working fit between the plunger and the casing member'131. v

W'th the use of my'improvements, it will be seen that an extremely simple and inexpensiveivalve Yis provided, perfect in operation`,and noiseless.

I have illustrated and described preferred and satisfactory forms of my invention, but it is obvious that changes may be made therein within the spirit and scope thereof as defined in the appended claims.

I claim 1. In a device of the character described,

a bushing provided with a valve seat, a closure member adapted to rest on said valve seat in closed position of the valve, `and to be raised to open the valve, a central overflow rod extending through said closure member and adapted to be raised and low-ered therewith, and means closed at the top and open at the bottom adapted to exert a supporting force on the said closure member during emptying of the Water from the tank, the said means adapted to release the said valve when the water in the tank drops below the means.

2. In a device of the character described, a bushing provided with a valve seat, a closure member adapted to rest on said valve seat in closed position thereof, and to be raised in open position, a central overflow rod 'extending through said closure member and adapted to be raised and lowered therewith, a housing member inclosing said closure member extending slightly above the raised position of said closure member, and provided in the lower portion thereof with ports adapted' to establish communicntion between the tank and the seid bushing in open position oi# the closure member, the

periphery of seid closure member slidzibljy` engaging the. interel 0f Seid `lf1. 1 1,1,S.1f1.e and `adapted toy form a substantial sezil, and mea-11S in the Seid housing member adapted to be openedk during the raising of the olosure member to permit the elosure member to expel the 4Water therefrom.

3. In a device of the character described, a bushing provided with 2L valve seat, a elosure member adepted to rest on seid valve seat in closed position thereof, and toy be raised in open position, t central over-flow rod: extending through said. closure member and adapted to be raised and lowered therewith, L housing member inclosing said olosure member, extending slightly iboyethe raised position of said closure member, and provided in the lower position thereof With ports adapted to establish oonnnnnioetion between the tank and the seid bushing in Open POStQn of the Closure member, the periphery of seid closure member slidebly engaging the interior of seidlimising and adapted' to. form a Substantial Seel, and ineens in theseidl housing member, adapted to be opened during the raising Ofi theelof sure member to permit the o loenre member to expel the Water therefrom, the seid means being provided With means -to permit the slow ingress ofnirendwaterto lO'Wer. the

Said-,01mm member @fief the @emptying Qf the taeke 4:1117' zi device of the hereeter deseribed, L biishing provided with a, vlalve seat, e closure,y member edepterl'to rest on said velve seat in. closed Vposition thereof, tovfbe reise-difieren residen@ Central Orerlon rod, extending, through seid olosiire: member` andl pdepted to be reised yand loweredv there- Wit-117e housing member nclosng Seid @l0-y snremember, end proyidingV an. open space aber@ teased bushing eden-ted to establish coinninnieetion between the tankend the seid bushing, iny open position of the closure mei/liber, the periphery ofseid elosnre member ,slidably engaging the interior of said honsingnnd adapted to form a substantial THOMAS J. eANNoN, Witnesses:

`RHOGG,

`Jos. Brennero..

Copies 9i this; patent.. may be entame@ 191." five. netsw/21,1, by adriilg the Gomissqner ,of letgnfrs, Washington, 1110- 

